Both as Attorney General and Governor of Missouri, John Ashcroft was well known as an opponent of school desegregation programs in St. Louis and Kansas City. Differences of legal and political opinion existed then and now on this subject, and such differences alone would not constitute significant grounds for opposing Ashcroft’s nomination. But Ashcroft’s conduct in Missouri went far beyond such differences of opinion. Ashcroft spent years and significant state resources in efforts to stymie voluntary St.

About This Report

This is the second part of a two-part report examining John Ashcroft's record as an elected official. People For the American Way has undertaken this examination in response to his nomination to be Attorney General of the United States, one of the most important public officials in our nation, a person who has enormous power and influence over the lives of all Americans.